Posted on 04/12/2006 7:38:22 AM PDT by Cyclopean Squid
How much trouble is a number worth?
Reggie Bush, projected as the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft, thinks it's at least worth petitioning the league.
"I want to see if I can keep No. 5," Bush told ESPN The Magazine on the set of a Subway commercial he was shooting in Los Angeles.
The former USC running back and 2005 Heisman Trophy winner has been wearing that jersey number since high school. NFL rules, however, don't allow for running backs to take that number -- 33 years ago the league adopted a numbering system to make it easier for officials to differentiate players by position.
Under the rule, quarterbacks, punters and placekickers wear numbers 1 through 19. Running backs and defensive backs are assigned 20 through 49, while wide receivers and tight ends are given numbers 80 through 89.
Two years ago, due to the increasing amount of retired numbers and more wide receivers and tight ends coming into the league, the NFL allowed those position players to wear either 10-19 or 80-89. A number of wide receivers have been wearing lower-numbered jerseys since, among them Larry Fitzgerald of Arizona (11), Plaxico Burress of New York and Braylon Edwards of Cleveland (17), Randy Moss of Oakland (18) and Troy Williamson of Minnesota (19).
Bush wants to push it one step further to stick with No. 5.
"I think someone else was able to get their number changed, but even if they turn me down I think it's worth a try," Bush said.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello declined to comment on Bush's plan to petition the league, though history is working against him. In 2004, running back Edgerrin James talked to the NFL about letting him wearing No. 5, which he had worn in Pop Warner, high school and at the University of Miami, but he was reportedly rebuffed.
Jersey numbers have turned into a big business. Players routinely have paid thousands of dollars for a jersey of their liking.
There has even been a lawsuit -- two years ago, Ifeanyi Ohalete agreed to sell No. 26 to his new Washington Redskins teammate Clinton Portis for $40,000. But Ohalete, who was released from the team before the season, sued after Portis didn't pay him half of the fee. The two eventually reached a settlement worth $18,000.
Bush has extra incentive to try to land No. 5. His Subway commercial, which debuted on Monday, encourages fans to "get inside No. 5" and features that number throughout the spot.
If Bush could somehow convince the league to allow him to wear No. 5, he's in luck if he gets drafted by the Houston Texans. No player on the team currently wears that number.
Said Bush: "If I have to pick a new number, I have no idea what it would be."
ESPN.com senior writer Darren Rovell contributed to this story
The entire Massachusetts delegation appears to be "packers" of one sort or another....
#61. That was my number in high school. Or #8, Archie Manning's old number with the Saints. ;^)
"...I always wanted #44...."
I did too. Especially after a Sara Evans video where she was wearing that number. And made it look GOOOOOOOOD!!!!!
OH MY GOODNESS!!!!..I hope you are happy with yourself..you owe me a new keyboard..FR should have warnings as you are scrolling down..maybe I could sue FR for a new keyboard..yeah..that's the ticket..
it depended on which position I was playing....
When I was on the line, I was either 77 or 60
When I was at TE, I was #48 and when I was a FB/HB I was #44
I agree.
It seems most people choose numbers based on who wore it in the past. If I were choosing for that reason I would have to go with #4 for Lou Gehrig.
I always played OT. I was too clutzy for tight end, and I was a lousy tackler, so they wouldn't let me play LB.
yeah...
there were some games, especially in Middle school, where I'd play O-line for the 1st half (with #77) and then TE or HB if we needed it.
heh I always played Defensive End. I was pretty fast back then and I was able to beat blockers very easily.
Well, uhhh my inspiration wasn't quite as good looking, Hank Aaron.
Whatever happened to the USC sophomore receiver that tried to come out early for the draft with Maurice Clarett?
I used to drive d-linemen nuts. Never got called for a holding penalty, but I knew how to keep them off the QB long enough...
I know who you're talking about, but I can't remember his name, or whatever happened to him.
Nice to know I'm not the only one with Some-zhiemer's Disease.
See my first post on this thread. I enjoy watching Reggie Bush, he's a fine player. Have a nice day
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